The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is trapped in a “vicious cycle,” as Iranian attacks could drive Abu Dhabi nearer to the US and Israel, according to a former US Defense Department advisor.
Iran attacked the significant Emirati oil port of Fujariah yesterday, wounding three Indian citizens, as reported by officials.
“It truly forms a sort of vicious cycle,” Jasmine El Gamal shared with Xenix News’ Becky Anderson on Connect the World earlier today. “As the UAE faced the most pressure… during those initial weeks, it increasingly reinforced its public commitment to its strategic partnership with the US and Israel, thereby becoming a bigger target for Iran.”
Iran warned it would attack the UAE if it strengthened its relations with Israel. “An Iranian military spokesperson cautioned that if the Emiratis become tools of Israel and err, they will acquire a lesson that will remain with them forever,” as reported by semi-official Iranian news outlet Tasnim.
“If the UAE engages in reckless behavior, all its interests will become targets for Iran, and no aspect of the Emirati infrastructure will remain secure,” the spokesperson stated.
Since the onset of the conflict with Iran, the UAE has exited the Arab-led oil coalition OPEC and received military support from Israel.
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